The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for removal of all quantitative ceilings on individual organic products and allowed unrestricted exports of all organic agricultural and organic processed products irrespective of any existing or future restriction/prohibition on the export of their basic product (non-organic).
However, in respect of organic pulses and lentils, in view of their acute shortage in the country, the quantitative ceiling on exports will continue but enhanced from the existing 10,000 MT per annum to 50,000 MT per annum.
Removal of quantitative celling on wheat, sugar, non-basmati rice, organic sugar and increasing the limit on export of organic pulses is expected to contribute to the Government’s objective of doubling the farmers’ income.
It will lead to reduction in input costs in farming and gaining premium price for organic agriculture products and in the process resulting in increased adoption of organic agriculture by farmers.
All organic products exports are certified by Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system wherein the products are grown in accordance with principles of sustainability. Government is supporting the farmers and exporters to tap huge opportunity that exists within the country and abroad for organic agriculture products.
A stable and consistent export policy relating to export of organic products would allow exporters to make long term commitment to the buyers and also establish linkages with the farmers. This is likely to result in enhanced realization to farmers from organic production.
A stable export policy on organic agriculture products would complement various Government programs like National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NSAM), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Organic Value Chain Development in North Eastern Region (OVCDNER) which have been taken up to encourage organic agriculture.
